Torpedo guide for torpedo tubes



. E. G. BJORKLUND ToRPEDo GUIDE FOR ToRPEDo TUBES Apr. 10, 1923.

5 sheets-sheet 1 F11ed Aug. 18, 1922 Apr. 10, 1923.

ToRPEDo GUIDE FOR ToRPED TUBES J7 J5 J7 J5 Z 7 l J5 Jij J 70 Ja a aww/M136@ Apr. 10, 1923. 1,451,319

E. GI. BJORKLUND TORPEDO GUIDE FOR TORPEDO TUBES Filed Aug. la, 1922' s sheets-sheet s 4 lll 2z I 0 Y, if ZJ 9 i I f wawtev Patented Apr. 10, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. l

ERIC G. BJORKLUND, OF ERIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE LAKE TORPEDO BOAT COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

TORPEDO GUIDE FOR TORPEDO TUBES.

Application filed August 18, 1922. Serial No. 582,749.

To all w from t may concern Be it known that I, Eme G. BJORKLUND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairlield and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful lImprovement in Torpedo Guides for Torpedo Tubes, of which the following a full, clear, and'exact description.

rI'his invention relates to means for discharging torpedoes from the torpedo tubes of vessels of various types and is adapted particularly to the "type of stern torpedo tubes shown in the patent of Joseph Barin its passage from the muzzle of the torpedo tube and until it is clear of the hull of the vessel.

In the construction shown and described in the above mentioned patent, it will be seen that the torpedo tube discharges through an opening directly in the stern of the boat, apertures being provided. intermediate the discharge opening at the stern and the torpedo tube muzzle, through which water is admitted for the purpose of preventing ed dies at the stern during firing of the torpedoes, and it will be app-arent that when torpedoes are dischargedfrom the torpedo tube in rough water, when the boat is making a. sharp turn, or under similar conditions Where a. cross current is apt to be set up through the openings at the stern of the boat, the torpedo, after it leaves the muzzle of the torpedo tube, may be thrown out of direct line and its steering and driving mechanism injured by contact with parts of the boat. It has therefore been found advisable to provide guides, as hereinafter described, extending from the muzzle of the torpedo tube to the outboard end of the discharge opening.

rl`he invention consists in means for defining the path of discharge of torpedoes, comprising a. plurality of guides mounted adjacent to the muzzle of the torpedo tube, and in means for adjusting these guides in operative relation to the tube, as I will p-roceed now to explain and inally claim.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated, .Figure 1 is a partly diagrammatic longitudinal, vertical, sectional elevation of the stern of a submarine torpedo boat showing the application -of the invention thereto. Fig. 2 lis a vertical cross section taken substantially in the plane of line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially in. the plane of line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. i is a fragmentaryvertical section similar to Fig. 1, but showing the muzzle door of the torpedo tube in closed position, the other parts being shown in the positions assumed by them with relation to the door. Fig. 5 is a. vertical section substantially similar to Fig. 2, but showing the parts in the position shown in Fig. 4t. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the operation of the bottom guide operating cam lug. Fig. Z

is a fragmentary vertical section showing the operation of the releasing lug for .releasing the bottom 'guide and forcing it to operative position.

As in the patent above mentioned so here, the stern of the boat is provided with a post l having a cylindrical opening 2 formed therein, and in this opening is mounted a tubey 3 supported by ribs 4 and plates 5. 6 designates al torpedo tube arranged in axial alignment with the cylindrical opening 2 of the stern post l. this tube being provided with a muzzle door 7 carried by lever 8 piv- Oted at 9 and adapted to be swung about its pivot 9 by means of worm and sector gearing mounted in casing 10 and driven by means operated from within the torpedo control compartment of the boat.

Extending approximately from the end 11 of the tube 3 to the muzzle of the torpedo tube 6 are openings 11', as indicated in Fig. 4, in the sides of the boat through which water may enter, the water so entering having free passage astern through the tube 3. These openings 11 are here shown as slots formed inthe hull plating of the boat, but it is obvious that, as in the patent above mentioned, they may be in the form of a single large opening in the side of the boat. These openings may take any other desired or feasible shape or size, and I have. therefore shown the slots in only one figure of the drawings to avoid confusion.

As previously pointed out, although these openings in the sides of the boat prevent eddies at the stern of the boat and the consequeint probability of such eddies impeding the passage of the torpedo when it is discharged from the torpedo tube, they :nevertheless permit cross currents to affect the passage of the torpedo upon its discharge, and, it these cross currents are sufficiently strong make possible side-sway, and dipping and tipping ot' the torpedo before it is clear of the stern of the boat. In order to prevent this effect of cross currents upon the torpedo, I provide a plurality of guides extending from the muzzle ot' the torpedo tube G to the discharge end o1 the tube 3. These guides comprise a lixed guide 12 at the bottom of tube 3, and a ixed guide 13 at the top thereof, the guide 13 extending 'forward and terminating in close proximity to the torpedo tube, muzzle. but allowing sutlicient clearance 'tor opening and closing ot' the muzzle door 7. Guides 11 xedly arranged diametrically opposite each other at the sides ot' tube El are also provided, and to these guides are hinged at 15 movable guides 1.(3 pivotally connected at 17 with levers 1S pivoted at 19 in lixed bearings 19 and provided with extensions 20 adapted to cooperate with the opposite ends ot a pin or bar 21 carried by the lever 8 for a purpose later described.

livotally mounted at 22 to a brachet 223 attached to one ot the plates is a movable bottom guide 24C provided with a lever extension terminating in a stop shoulder 25, and a cam face 26 adapted for cooperative engagement with a pair of cams or lugs 27 carried by the muzzle door 7. The guide 2l is also provided with a lip 2S adapted to limit the downward swinging movement oi" the guide to proper position relative to the torpedo tube and in alignment with the guide 12 b v contact with a stop 29 at the muzzle of the torpedo tribe G.

In addition to the cams or lugs 27 the muzzle door is provided with a starting` lug 3() and a releasing lug 31 the functions olf which will hereinafter appear. As will be seen by reference particularly to Fig. 5, the releasing lug 31 is arranged between the cam lugs 27.

The side guides 16 are provided with stops 32 adapted to abut against diametrically opposite points on the flange 33 ot the torpedo tube muzzle for the purpose ot aligningr the guides 16 with the bore of the torpedo tube and the guides 14.

The operation ot' the invention is substantially as Jfollows: Assuming that the muzzle door 7 is, as under ordinary conditions, closed as shown in Figs. 4r and 5, and it is desired to tire a torpedo from the torpedo tube. The muzzle door is opened b y proper manipulation of the devices (not shown) for operating the worin and sector gearing contained in the casing 10. This operation of the worm and Sector gearing will swing the lever 8 about its pivot 9 and will, at the same time, carry with the lever the muzzle door 7. Ars the muzzle door 7 swings outwardly from the torpedo tube muzzle, and downwardly, the cam lugs `27 will slide upon t-he cam sur- Vface 2G of the guide 24 until they have passed out of Contact with this cam surface, whereupon the guide 2l will be free to swing down upon the edge 31 ot the muzzle door, and later on upon the lug BOtinally being brought down to the position shown in Fig. 1 with its lip resting` upon stop 29. It', for any reason, the guide 24 should became stuck or jammed in its upward position (Figs. l, 6 and 7), the cam lugs 27 will straddle the extension of guide 21 as the muzzle door descends, and the releasing` lug 31 will contact with the lever extension as shown in Fig. 7 and torce guide 21 out ot its upward position and thereby permit it to drop to the position shown in l? 1. rlhe cooperation ol the muzzle door 7 with the stop shoulder 25 locks the guide 21 in alined position.

.lit the same time that the guide 24 is being released or it'orced downward so as to assmne the position shown in Fig. 1. the pin or bar 21 is o]' erating upon the extensions 20 ol' the levers 1S to spread said levers apart and thereby move the guides 16 on theirhinges '15 so that stops B2 will contact with the 'Flange I-l ot the torpedo tube muzzle` in which position, as above pointed out,the guides 16 are in alignment with the bore ot the torpedo tube and the guides 14, the pin or bar 21 acting to hold the guides 16 in such proper alignment so long as the muzzle door is in itsl `full open position, as shown in Fig, 1.

lVith all the guides in their properly aligned position, it will be seen that in effect a continuation ot the torpedo tube is provided `trom the, muzzle of the torpedo tube to the outboard end olf the cylinder 3, and any side-sway dil'iping` or tilting` ot the torpedo during its passage from the torpedo tube outboard will be prevented.

After the torpedo has been discharged, the muzzle door may be closed by reverse rota,- tion ot the worm and sector gearing and the guides will be returned to their inoperative positions in the following manner As the muzzle door swings upward and inward` towards the torpedo tubo muzzle. the starting lug 3() will first come in contact with the lower side ot the guide 24- and start the guide in its upward swinging` movement about its pivot 22 s the upward and inward movement ot' the muzzle door continues the cam lugs 27 will contact with the cam 'tace 26 of the guide 24 and will raise the `guide to the position shown in Figs. 4, G and 7` and when the door is completely closed. as shown in Fig. 1. the ends oll the cam lugs 27 will hold the guide in its upper position shown. While thisI actuation ot the guide 21 is taking place, the pin or bar 2l is riding upward out of contact with'the cam extensionsQO, and, when the muzzle door comes in contact with the guides 1G, these guides will be forced to siving outwardly upon their hinges l5 so as to permit the muzzle door to close.

rlhus it Will be seen that I provide means tor guiding the torpedo during and after its discharge from the torpedo tube, whereby its steering and driving mechanism are protected against injury, these means being au.- t-omatie in their operation and requiring no operating means other than the means connected with and adapted to open and close the. muzzle door, all of the mechanism for operating the movable gu-ides being actuated by parts associated with and carried by the muzzle door.

The invention is not limited to the use of worm and sector gearing for opening and closing the muzzle door.

Although I have herein shown and described arparticular embodiment of my invention', it is to be understood thatI do not consider' it as limited thereto,` as various changes majY be made in details ot construction and arrangement olf parts without departing from the spirit ot the invention or the scope ot' the liollon'ing claims; and, although the invention shown and described as applied to the stern torpedo tube ot a submarine boat, it is obvious that it is Well adapted for use with torpedo tubes in other positions and in various types of vessels.

IVhat I claim ist* l. In a vessel, having a torpedo tube terminatii'ig Within its hull and a discharge opening in said hull, the combination with said tube ot guides extending therefrom to the opening in the hull and terminating within said hull.

2. In a vessel having a torpedo tube terminating Within its hull and a discharge opening in said hull, the combination with said tube of a plurality of guides extending therefrom to said hull opening, portions ot said `guides being movable.

il. In a vessel, a torpedo tube having its muzzle arranged Within the hull of the vessel, a torpedo discharge opening extending through said hull and in axial alignment with saidtube, Water inlet openings in said hull intermediate said tube muzzle and discharge opening, tivo pairs ot' stationary guides arranged `in said discharge opening, the upper guide of one pair extending toward and terminating in proximityto said tube muzzle and spanning said Water inlet openings and fixed with relation to said tube, and movable guides adapted when in adjusted position to form extensions of the remainder ot said stationary guides to spa-n said Water openings.

LLL.. In a vessel, having a torpedo tube the muzzle ot' which is arranged Within the hull of the vessel, a torpedo discharge opening in said hull and communicating With the sea, Water inlet openings in said hull intermediate said tube muzzle and discharge opening, said discharge opening forming a Water outlet for said Water inlet openings, stationary guidesat the top, bottom and sides of said discharge opening, said top Guide terminating in proximity to said tube muzzle and said bottom and side guides terminating adjacent said water inlet openings, and movable guides forming when in adjusted position continuations of said last mentioned stationary guides and movable into and out of adjusted position for the purpose specified, said movable guides spanning said Water inlet openings.

5. In a vessel, having a torpedoy tube the muzzle of which is arranged Within the hull of the vessel and a discharge opening in said hull. the combination with said tube ot guides extending therefrom to said hull opening, portions of `said guides being movable` means for closing the muzzle oi' said tube, and cooperating means on the movable portions of said guides and said muzzleclosing means for actuating the movable portions ot said guides.

G. In a vessel, having a torpedo tube. the

combination with said tube of a plurality of movable guides adapted to be positioned in alignment with said tube but normally out of such alignment, means for closing the muzzle of said tube, and cooperating means" on said guides and muzzle clos-ing` means tor moving said guides into and. out of alignment with said tube.

7. In a vessel, having a torpedo tube. the combination with said tube of a plurality ot movable guides adapted to be positioned in alignment with said tube but normally out of such alignment, means for closing the muzzle ot' said tube, and cooperating` means on said guides andmuzzle closing means tor moving said guidesinto and out ot alignment With said tube and for holding them in such positions.

8. In a vessel, having a torpedo tube, tbe combination with said tube of al plurality of movable guides, a muzzle door for said torpedo tube, and cooperating means on said door and guides for moving said guides into and out of operative position relative to said tube.

9. In a vessel, having a torpedo tube, the combination with said tube ot' a plurality of guides, portions of which are movable, a muzzle door for said tube. and cooperating means on said muzzle door and the movable portions of said guides whereby said movable portions are moved into and out ot operative relation with respect to said torpedo tube.

10. In a vessel, having a torpedo tube the muzzle of which is arranged Within the hull of the vessel and a torpedo discharge opening in said hull, the combination with said tube of a plurality of guides extending between the muzzle thereof and said discharge opening, a portion of each ot' said guides being` movable and the other portion thereof being fixed in axial alignment with said torpedo tube, a muzzle door for said tube, means for operating;v said muzzle door, and cooperating means on said door and on the movable portions ot said guides whereby the movable portions of the guides may be moved into and out of operative relation with respect to said tube.

ll. In a vessel, having a torpedo t-ube, the combination with said tube ot a torpedo guide pivotally mounted with respect to said tube, a muzzle door tor said tube, a cam lugon said door. and a cam surface on said lguide adapted to cooperate with the cam lug on said door whereby said ,guide may be moved into and out ot' operative alignment with respect to said tube.

12. In a vessel, having a torpedo tube, a pair ot guides pivoted with respect to said tube, a muzzle door for said tube, a lever by which said muzzle door is carried and by means ot Which it may be opened and closed, levers cooperating` with said guides and provided with extensions, and means operative with said muzzle door for actuating said extensions to move said guides into and out of operative alignment with respect to said tube.

13. ln a vessel` having a torpedo tube. the combination with said tube ot a plurality ot guides provided with movable extensions. the movable extension of one ot said guides pivot-ed for swinging action upon a horizontal axisI and the movable extensions of the others ot' said guides pivoted for swinging action upon vert-ical axes, a muzzle door for said torpedo tube, an operatinglever for said door` means on said door for actuating the guide extension pivoted upon a.. horizontal axis to move the same into and out of operative alignment With respect to said tube, levers pivoted to a stationary portion of said boat and connected With the extensions ot the guides movable upon vertical axes, and means carried by said door operating means and cooperating` with said levers for moving said vertically pivoted portions into and out ot' opera-tive alignment with respect to said tube.

'1.4. ln a vessel.y having' a` torpedo tube the muzzle of which is arranged Within the hull ot the vessel and a discharge opening in said hull in axial alignment with said torpedo tube. a plurality oit stationary guides arranged in said discharge opening` one of same extending into proximity to the muzzle of said torpedo tube and the others terminating; at a distance therefrom. a plurality ot movable lguides adapted when in adjusted n la position to form continuations of said last mentioned stationary guides, a muzzle door for said torpedo tube, and means operative coincidently with the opening and closing of said muzzle door for moving said movable guides into and out of operative alignment with respect to said tube.

ljln a vessel, having' a torpedo tube the muzzle of which is arranged Within the hull ol' the vessel and a discharge opening in said hull in axial alignment With said torpedo tube. a plurality ot stationary guides arranged in said discharge opening, one of which extends into proximity to the muzzle ot saidv torpedo tube and the others terminate at a distance therefrom. a` plurality of movable guides adapted when in adjusted position to form continuations ot said last mentioned stationary guides, a muzzle door for said torpedo tube, and means operative coincidently with the openingr and closing of said muzzle door for moving said movable guides into and out o't operative alignment With respect to said tube and for locking said movable. lguides in operative relation with respect to said tube when said muzzle door reaches the end ot its opening' movement.

lo. The combination with a torpedo tube. ol a torpedo fluide pivoted with respect to said tube, a lever extension on said guide, a muzzle door tor said torpedo tube. a cam lug and a releasing lug" on said door. and a cam surface on said guide, said cam lug adapted to turn said p 'uide upwardly about its pivot by cooi'ieration with said cam surface, and said releasing.r lufr adapted by cooperation With said lever extensionV to release said fruide from its upward position.

t?. The. combination with a torpedo tube. ot' a. pair ot guides arranged laterally with respect thereto. hinge members for said fluides aboutI ivhich the` guides may swing into a ud out of operative alio'mnent with respect to the bore of said tube` stops on the swinging: ends oi said guidesl adapted to abut against the sides of said. tube to limit-their swinging action toward said tube to a position in ivhich they are in alignment With the bore thereof, levers pivoted in bearings fixed with relation to said tube. said levers being' connected with said guides and having' cam extensions. a muzzle door for said tube, a lever by which said muzzle door is carried and by means ot which the door may be swung' to open andy closed positions, and means carried by said door carrying lever and cooperating with the extensions of said iirst mentioned levers whereby when said door opened. said guides will he moved. into operative alignment with respect to the bore ot said tube and when said door is closed said guides ivill be moved out ot such alignment to permit the passage oi the door therebetween.

18. The combination with a. torpedo tube,

llO

of a torpedo guide pivoted with respect thereto, a cam surface on the under side of Said guide, a muzzle door for said torpedo tube, means for opening and closing said door, a cam lugon said door ladapted to cooperate with the cam surfaceon said guide, a starting` lug` on said door adapted to cooperate with the under side of Said guide whereby when said door is moved to close the muzzle of said tube, said Starting lug will impart an initial raising' movement to said guide and said cam lug will thereafter during the closing movement of said door continue the raising movement of said guide, and a stop fixed with respect to said tube for limiting the lowering' movement of said guide to a position in which the guide is in operative alignment with the bore of said tube.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of August A.. D. 1922.

ERIC Gr. BJORKLUND.

'Vtnesses E. A, VILLiAMs, G, R. APPELBERG. 

